Marissa Salvesen

My journey into the world of senior living began when I started working for United Methodist Homes in 2010. Starting as an Activities Director at one of our-winning assisted and independent living communities and then transitioning to Marketing and Promotions Manager for UMH, I now work as the Manager of Mission Development, fostering the Mission and Values of our organization. I love sharing stories about the many ways we build meaningful relationships and enrich the lives of those we serve, and am proud to be part of building UMH’s 140-year legacy of caring. Wondering what makes our communities such special places to live and work? Connect with me and find out!

Terms like “BFF” and “bestie” may be new to our vocabularies, but the basic concept remains the same: Everyone needs a good friend. Having a strong social network may be even more critical for seniors, according to research indicating the paramount role of friendships in supporting quality of life during the golden years. Let’s take a closer look at why friends are so important, along with highlighting tips aimed at helping aging loved ones live better with a little help from their friends.

An abundance of research highlights the value of relationships between pets and humans. The generation most likely to benefit from animal companionship, according to findings published in the European Journal of Medical Research? Older adults. Let’s take a closer look at why seniors and pets are a perfect fit, along with tips for helping your aging loved one choose the right pet.

Not sure what senior living and care solution is best for your loved one? Start making sense of your options.

Did you know that Medicare is one of the country’s largest group health insurance plans? And while millions of Americans are eligible for this federal program, few people understand its ins and outs. Let’s take a closer look at this tricky topic, along with some things to keep in mind when evaluating your Medicare options.

People in different stages of life have different legal concerns. Older adults, in particular, face a number of legal considerations which differ from the ones they may have faced earlier in their lives. Attorneys who focus their practices on the area of elder law, also referred to as “elder care,” offer specialized expertise and guidance for older individuals and their families. Let’s count down five ways hiring an elder law attorney makes smart sense, along with a few things to keep in mind when finding and hiring an elder law attorney.

We often talk about the need for caregivers to take a break from the demands of caregiving. One simple way to do so? Watch a movie. And while heading to your local cineplex is one way to escape, you can also relax and recharge while watching a movie at home in the company of your loved ones. Read on for a list of five movies which are likely to delight caregivers, their kids, and aging loved ones alike.

The number of Americans without any close friends has dramatically escalated over the past two decades, according to a report from the AARP. Unfortunately, older adults are not only particularly vulnerable to this phenomenon, but are also more likely to struggle physically and emotionally due to isolation. Let’s take a closer look at why socialization (the “s” word) is so important for seniors. And find some caregiver tips for helping aging loved ones enjoy all of the benefits of spending time with others.

If you’ve ever broached the subject of moving to a senior living community with an aging loved one, you may have been met with the some variation of the response, “No way. I want my freedom.” You’re hardly alone if you’ve encountered this form of resistance. In fact, the vast majority of seniors claim to want to “age in place.” Guiding this preference? The belief that senior living communities are a threat to independence. Let’s take a closer look at the issue, along with why it may be time to embrace a new perspective when it comes to senior living, freedom, true independence, and something even more vital: quality of life.

Meet Rita Klingenmeier, a resident at one of our award-winning UMH communities: Middlewoods of Newington. Rita made the move to Middlewoods in the fall of 2015 and since that time, has enjoyed a healthy and active lifestyle in the community.

We all need time to relax and recharge. For many, reading precisely fits the bill. For caregivers of loved one’s with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, reading can also provide something else: much-needed empathy and understanding. Check out these five works of fiction, each of which may offer some unique insights into living with Alzheimer's disease.

While seniors are fast growing users of digital technology, there are some obstacles to adoption among the 65 and over set. Social media, in particular, can be imposing territory, and yet it also offers plentiful payoffs for those who persevere. If you’ve thought about introducing your aging loved one to social media but have never done so, now might be the perfect time to make that connection. Let’s take a closer look at older adults and social media, along with tips for helping seniors get social.

Summertime is on our minds! Residents from our UMH senior living communities have been sharing a few of their favorite summer memories with us….we thought they would be fun to share! What are some of YOUR favorite summer memories? Check out their memories below or scroll through our social media pages to reminisce alongside our residents…